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Bike phone mounts are genius in their simplicity and functionality. They take a device you already carry in your pocket on every ride and move it to your stem or handlebar, where you can follow turn-by-turn directions at a glance and track your progress through apps like RideWithGPS and Strava. Sure, there are plenty of awesome cycling-specific GPS computers to buy, but why spend more money when you already own—and know how to use—a device capable of most of the same functions?
If perceived risk is holding you back, know that the latest phone mounts aren’t nearly as flimsy as you’d imagine a piece of plastic holding your $700+ device to be. The same way that a multi-hundred-dollar GPS is securely held into place, so too will your phone be safe—even on fast descents and bumpy roads. Bad weather doesn’t need to be an issue, either. Many phone mounts, like Topeak’s RideCase and the Quad Lock, come with accessory covers that promise full waterproofing. And don’t underestimate what you can also accomplish with just a plastic sandwich bag and a rubber band.
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We tried a few different styles to bring you the best options. Here are our picks for the best ways to connect your phone to your bike.
Best Bike Phone Mounts
- Good for the Price: Vibrelli Universal Bike Phone Mount
- Most Secure: Quad Lock Universal Bike Mount
- Smart Vacuum and Magnet Design: Fidlock Vacuum Case Phone Mount
- Inexpensive Option: Spigen Gearlock
- Fits Big Bars: Roam Co-Pilot Bike Phone Mount
- Most Storage Space: Blackburn Local Plus Top Tube Bike Bag
- Adjusts to Any Angle: Rokform V4 Pro Series Bike Mount
- Weather Protection Available: Topeak RideCase
- Cheap, But It Does the Trick: VUP Silicone Mount
- Bestseller: Nite Ize Wraptor
Expert: I’ve been a tester and reviewer of bike gear for more than a decade—and an everyday cyclist for well over twice that many years. But to get more insight into what makes a good bike phone mount, I reached out to Deputy Editor Tara Seplavy, who leads Bicycling’s test team. Seplavy not only has extensive experience testing and reviewing gear for Bicycling, but she’s been in the bike industry for decades and formerly served as a product development leader for multiple bike brands. All this has given her expert insight into what works and doesn’t work in bike products.
What to Look for in a Bike Phone Mount
Style of riding
Before you choose a phone mount, consider your usual riding location and style. If you tend to cruise well-maintained bike lanes and smooth paths, any of the options below will likely work for you. But if you’re more of a gravel rider or mountain biker, you’ll have to exercise caution in selecting one. While the most secure mounts can handle some abuse, others might not be as stable over washboard ruts or big jumps. In fact, Seplavy recommends you reserve them entirely for road riding. “I do not recommend cell mounts for mountain biking,” she says. “They can rattle loose too easily and eject your phone into the bushes. It also makes your phone more susceptible to damage in a crash.” In other words, rocks and phone screens do not pair well together.
Mount style
Mounts can be cell-phone-size specific and require the purchase of an additional case that clamps onto your handlebar or stem, much like a traditional cycling computer. Others, like the Gearlock and Quad Lock, can be mounted by affixing a universal adapter to a phone case you already own. Alternative options include plastic webbing that stretches to fit any phone size, or small bags that attach to your bike’s top tube and fit not only your phone, but snacks and cash, too.
Weather proofing
If you’re worried about your phone’s exposure to the elements, you have a few options. Many phone mounts, like Topeak’s RideCase and the Quad Lock, come with accessory covers that promise full waterproofing. But if the mount you choose doesn’t offer that option, don’t underestimate what you can also accomplish with just a plastic sandwich bag and a rubber band.
How We Chose the Best Bike Phone Mounts
To recommend these bike phone mounts, I used my own experience as a longtime commuter cyclist who occasionally mounts a phone to my handlebar, as well as input from the many recreational and commuter cyclists in my community. For the phone mounts I didn’t test personally, I relied on recommendations from friends and thoroughly scoured online reviews, using Seplavy’s expert input as a guide. Ultimately, I evaluated the bike phone mounts here on performance, value, durability, security, safety, versatility, and ease-of-use to come up with models that best serve every type of rider, kind of phone, and style of bike.
Pros
- Ball-and-socket design lets you customize the angle
- Accommodates almost all smartphone sizes
Cons
- Handlebar mount only
Key Specs
| Style | Stretchy silicone holder |
|---|---|
| Works with | Nearly any phone; handlebars from 0.9 to 1.3 inches in diameter |
| Stability ranking | Very stable |
Vibrelli’s phone mount features an adjustable clamp that fits on most handlebars, and silicone bands that hold your phone in place while you ride. The ball-and-socket design lets you angle your phone in any direction and provides access to all control buttons and the audio jack. Silicone bands in black, red, and grey are included with each mount. Given the word “Universal” in its name, this mount can accommodate almost all smartphones.
Pros
- Universal adapter works with any phone
- Easy to mount anywhere on your bar or stem
Cons
- If you don’t want to permanently alter your phone case, you may want to buy a separate one
- Cover for weather protection sold separately
Key Specs
| Style | Case and mount |
|---|---|
| Works with | Nearly any phone and handlebar/stem |
| Stability ranking | Very stable |
Light, strong, and secure, the Quad Lock is among the best at what it does—which is allow your phone to click onto a stem, handlebar, or out-front mount so you can use it while riding. The brand’s universal bike kit has an ultra-sticky universal adapter you can permanently attach to any phone case. (Use a cheap throwaway if you don’t want to sacrifice your usual case to the cause). Then you just have to twist the adapter into the mount for a “dual stage lock” secure fit. If you need bonus protection from the elements, Quad Lock sells a slip-on cover that works like a snug poncho for your phone in bad weather. If you choose to buy a Quad Lock-specific case, they’re available in sizes for all iPhone and Galaxy devices.
Pros
- Interesting design
- Fairly streamlined
- Fits most phones and most bars
Cons
- Need to buy case and mount separately
Key Specs
| Style | Magnetic connection between case and mount |
|---|---|
| Works with | Most phones; most handlebars |
| Stability ranking | Fairly stable |
The Fidlock works much like the Quadlock in that it features a stem or handlebar mount that hooks onto a phone case—this time through a twist-lock magnetic system that connects to a vacuum suction mount. The case comes in an array of sizes to fit iPhones and Samsung phones, while the base connects to your handlebar (be it oversized or traditional) or stem cap and allows you to rotate the phone 360 degrees. We found it to be a fairly secure system—the magnet feels strong enough to maintain a confident enough grip on your phone for road rides, though we were hesitant to trust the system on technical terrain.
Pros
- Out front means out of the way
- Bar attachment tightens with Allen wrench, not the user’s own hand strength
Cons
- Mount attaches to your own phone case. If you don’t want to sacrifice it, buy a second phone case.
Key Specs
| Style | Mount and adapter; use your own case |
|---|---|
| Works with | Most bikes and phones, provided you mount adapter to a case |
| Stability ranking | Fairly stable |
The Gearlock doesn’t require you to buy a matching phone case—it comes with a universal adapter that you can put on the case you already own. Once you’ve affixed the adapter, your phone will click easily into the mount, where it’s secure enough to hold your phone with no jiggling on rough terrain, but also easy to pull off the mount when you want to take photos. The out-front mount works with most handlebar sizes with the help of two different rubber spacers, and sits at a convenient angle for mid-ride viewing. It’s a sturdy, solid mount that attaches to your bar and tightens with an Allen wrench rather than a flexible band that relies on your own hand strength to get a firm fit. It’s also lightweight, aerodynamic, and low-profile, so it won’t get in your way or crowd your hands on the bar.
Pros
- Secures your phone with two points of contact—a plastic grip and a silicone net
- Attaches to bars as big as 1 1/4 inches in diameter
- Fits most smartphones
Cons
- Metal clamping mechanism is bulky
- Inexpensive
Key Specs
| Style | Stretchy silicone holder and adjustable handlebar mount |
|---|---|
| Works with | Most phones; handlebars from ⅞ to 1 ¼ inches |
| Stability ranking | Fairly stable |
With its side clamping system and silicone net, the Roam provides a solid, inexpensive way to mount your phone to your bike. Adjust the angle from portrait to landscape to suit your needs. It’s compatible with most phones on the market, including plus-size iPhones. And because it’s made to also work with motorcycles, it has one of the largest-diameter clamping mechanisms on our list, fitting handlebars from ⅞ inches up to 1¼ inches.
Pros
- Has room for extras, like snacks and cash
- Transparent touchscreen window protects your phone
Cons
- Attaches to top tube only
- Might be too bulky for some
Key Specs
| Style | Top tube bag |
|---|---|
| Works with | Fits most bikes, but only fits smaller phones |
| Stability ranking | Fairly stable |
Perfect for your next gravel or adventure ride, the Local Plus can hold your phone, wallet, and snacks with ease, while keeping it all right in front of you. The bag attaches securely to your bike’s top tube and stem with a pair of straps. A transparent touchscreen pocket keeps your screen in view and touchable. The Local Plus accommodates the iPhone X or smartphones approximately that size.
Pros
- Unbelievably sturdy
- You never have to remove it from your bike
Cons
- You need a 1 1/8-inch steerer tube to mount it
- Works only with compatible Rokform phone cases
Key Specs
| Style | Case and mount |
|---|---|
| Works with | Fits specific-sized steerer tubes, and requires a Rokform case |
| Stability ranking | Very stable |
One of our tester’s favorite things about the V4 is that, once it’s installed, it can stay there and be forgotten until you need it. The CNC-machined, aircraft-grade aluminum mount replaces the top cap on your 1⅛-inch steerer. It’s so low-profile (a little over 5mm at its thinnest point) that when it’s not in use, it can lay flat against your stem. When it is in use, it can be tilted at an angle up to 55 degrees. It uses a twist-lock mechanism to attach the compatible case and has a magnet for even more security. Sure, you have to buy a Rokform case that works with the mount, but you’ll get more use out of it than you think. Rokform also makes a more versatile handlebar mount that you can swap from bike to bike as well as a variety of magnetic car mounts that let you display your phone on the dash. It’s a universal system that goes a long way.
Pros
- The case slides into the mount for a super sturdy and secure fit
- Easy to remove quickly to grab pics on the go
Cons
- Handlebar mount only
- If you upgrade your phone, you have to buy a new case; the mount works with size-specific cases
Key Specs
| Style | Phone case and stem or handlebar mount |
|---|---|
| Works with | Most phones, but you need to buy the right size and check that it includes the mount |
| Stability ranking | Fairly stable |
The RideCase consists of two parts—a plastic phone case, which is available in several different sizes depending on phone model, and a slide-on mount that you can attach to your stem or handlebar. The case slides smoothly into the mount, where it clicks into place and holds your phone securely. Once your phone is locked in, you can tilt the mount to any angle so you can view your phone from your saddle. If you want to take your phone out to snap ride photos, it’s not difficult to pull it out without stopping. Together, both components feel durable and stable, no matter what kind of terrain you’re subjecting them to. If you live in a rainy or snowy climate, check out the Weatherproof RideCase options.
Pros
- Fits almost any size phone
- Works with handlebars up to 35mm in diameter
Cons
- Minimalist design provides limited protection
- Your phone’s weight can cause the stretchy clamping mechanism to slide or rotate on your bar
Key Specs
| Style | Stretchy silicone holder and adjustable handlebar mount |
|---|---|
| Works with | Most phones; handlebars from 18 to 35mm |
| Stability ranking | Semi-stable |
VUP’s phone mount has a similar design to that of TeamObsidian’s—instead of using a special case or adapter to affix your phone to the mount, you just strap your phone into an elastic web—no side clamping system—attached to a universal handlebar mount (designed to fit 18 to 35mm handlebars). This stretchy silicone webbing makes the mount compatible with any size phone. The whole thing is simple to use, stable, inexpensive, and provides easy access to your screen while riding. And you can still rotate the phone 360 degrees for a better view.
Pros
- Small, simple, and compact
- Works with any handlebar and phone
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Some users report their phones bouncing out of it
- Best limited to paved terrain
Key Specs
| STYLE | Stretchy silicone holder and adjustable handlebar mount |
|---|---|
| WORKS WITH | Most phones; most handlebars |
| STABILITY RANKING | Fairly stable |
The Wraptor has a similar design to the VUP and other stretchy, silicone bike mounts. Just wrap it around your bar (it works with handlebars of all sizes) and hook your phone into the corners, where it will rotate 360 degrees so you can put it in landscape or portrait mode, and stay put as long as you don’t leave the pavement. We didn’t have any problems with our phones bouncing out of the mount, but other users have reported an issue when venturing off-road. The mount is small, compact, and very easy to mount and unmount, so you can take it with you when you lock up your bike.
How to Find the Right Bike Mount Fit?
Expert Caitlin Giddings Gets the Answers from Bicycling's Deputy Editor, Tara Seplavy.
BI: Are there any advantages to using a bike phone mount versus a handlebar-mounted bike computer?
C.G.: Seplavy says she prefers the latter but understands why the combination of a phone and a good case might be preferable for many. “Some riders might not want to spend the extra money on a bike computer, might prefer the functionality of their favorite mapping apps, or just like being able to access their phone quickly,” she says. “Working in bike shops, I saw lots of commuters and delivery riders who preferred to use their cell phone, or weekend riders who didn’t want the hassle of another device. If you ride an e-bike that has an app to check your battery or control your motor while on the go, a cell phone can also be useful. For these riders, it can work out great!”
BI: What are the most important things to look for in a phone mount?
C.G.: “I recommend ones that have durable construction, aren’t a hassle to remove and install your phone, can survive some bumping around without your phone flying off, and don’t get in the way of other accessories you use like lights, bells, and bags,” she says.
BI: Are there any concerns about fit or compatibility that people should note before getting a phone bike mount for their bike?
C.G.: In a word, yes. “Before you purchase, make sure you’re buying one that fits your device,” Seplavy says. “All iPhone or Samsung models aren’t the same, so make sure it’s compatible before you buy. Also, if it clamps to your bars make sure the one you get works with your handlebar diameter.”
BI: Do you use one or have you used one?
C.G.: “I’ve tried the Fidlock, which is good, but a little pricey. I have also sold lots of the Nite Ize Wraptors and Handlebands. Those ones aren’t super secure, but they are cheap!”
